I’m a little biased here because I drive an 01 S2k so my choice is obvious. I would have to say it depends on what you are planning to do with it. If your going to drag race keep your Lightning. If your dead set on getting one of the 2 cars and want to drag race I’d say the 350Z is probably for you as it has more TQ down low in the powerband and probably is easier to launch. The S2k is not a Drag racer what so ever. From a roll though I’d say they are dead on even. My experiences running 350’s in the S I’ve either stayed even or pulled them just a TIT bit.

I drove both when I looked at the S2k and to me the steering feedback/feel in the S is tighter, it handles better, the ease of getting the rear end sideways and back in line in the S was linear, just perfect no talk back. The convertible was the selling point after those, I just wanted a “Roadster” style sports car and the 350 at the time didn’t have that. To this day I still think the S2k just looks better as a convertible then the 350 does. I also can’t complain about the sound of VTEC kicking in at 6k rpm’s up to 9k rpm’s with an intake, very nice….

This all my opinion nothing more. I like both cars but personally the S2k was more fun to drive and just felt perfect to ME. I wasn’t looking for a drag racer, just something FUN and the S2k did that for me more than the Z did.